How to Make Lace Fans
There was a time when the fan was not just an accessory, but a form of communication. Resting the fan on either cheek meant yes or no, fanning either quickly or slowly indicated the level of interest in potential suitors, and so on. Making a lace fan to use or for display is an enjoyable craft project.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- One 1/16 inch x 3 inch x 24 inch basswood sheet (precut is an option)
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Craft knife
- Punch
- Needle and thread
- Flat sequins
- Wood glue
- Iron
- Lace
- Wire (silver or brass plated)
Instructions
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1
Do a drawing of your lace fan design. Buying your lace first can help with your design because the lace's pattern can help dictate what the rest of the fan will look like. Determine the fan's dimensions and how many sticks you would like to use. The number of sticks can vary according according to the overall size of the fan. For some fans, the number is 10, for others they can number 20 or more. Other fans have sticks that are actually two sticks glued together. Decide whether you wish to double each stick.
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2
Make a pattern for the lace portion of the fan out of paper. When the lace of the fan is without its sticks, it resembles a rectangle. Draw a rectangle that is the size you want and cut it out.
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3
Decide on the dimensions of your sticks. When you look at pictures of lace fans, you will see a lot of variation in the sticks: some are wider at the top of the fan and narrower at the pivot point, others are the same width from top to bottom, some are pierced with elaborate designs while others are plain. Draw a pattern for the stick design and transfer it onto the basswood sheet. Use a ruler to make sure your lines are straight.
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4
Use a craft knife to cut out the sticks for your lace fan, following the pattern you traced in Step 1. If your stick pattern calls for any pieced designs, you can do that now. Punch a hole near the bottom of each stick. If you decided to double or glue together your sticks, make sure you cut out twice as many.
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5
Lay the lace on your work table and lay the pattern you made in Step 2 on top of it. Pin it in place and carefully cut around it. If the lace you have chosen is the kind that may unravel when cut, add a little for seam allowance. For the lace that unravels, turn over the raw edges at the sides and bottom and press flat, then secure with thread.
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6
Glue the sticks together with wood glue if you wish to double your sticks. If not, press the lace to the sticks and heat them with an iron. Wait for the glue to cool down before continuing.
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7
Stack the sticks so that the holes at the bottom line up. Insert a flat sequin between each one, then thread a wire through the hole. Gently fold the fan. You will not need to press the lace as it will naturally acquire folds as you open and close your fan.
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Tips & Warnings
On the Cool Breeze Web page, the subject of the painting "The Lady with the Veil" is speaking eloquently to the artist (who is also her husband) with her fan. The message? "Follow me."
